The Case of the Heart vs. the Brain

Are you the type of person who changes your mind 18 times before deciding on the chopped chicken salad? Or maybe you’re the woman next to me in the dairy section who can’t decide between the nonfat milk and the 2%. What about the bigger decisions? Are you indecisive when it comes to buying a house or when to settle down and have a family?

These indecisive times happen to the best of us – some more than others – and are a simple case of our brain vs. our heart. Our brains are so complex and intricate that they can completely mute that special, little voice inside of us telling us exactly what to do when we find ourselves at a crossroads.

I have found that we as human beings, who are prone to err, must actually practice the technique of acknowledging and listening to what our hearts are saying. In addition to listening to that little, wise voice, we must also learn to trust what the voice is telling us.

How many of you had a friend that was in an unhealthy relationship and decided to get married only to wind up divorced two years later? All the signs were there – you knew it was a bad choice, the bride’s sister knew it was a bad choice, even the mailman shook his head knowingly. Chances are, your friend’s little voice was screaming and waving its red flag, but your friend chose not to trust it because her mind led her to believe otherwise.

The next time you are faced with a decision, no matter how big or small it may be, take a moment to clear your mind and just listen. Listen to what you already know the answer to be. Trust yourself and your heart enough to know that it will never steer you wrong. Even if that means consuming the extra calories of the 2% milk your heart just had you grab.